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Laptop question - Indian Summer

Posted: Nov 12, 2009

If I want to travel with my lap top around the holidays to get some work in, do I need an air card in order to have a secure internet connection? TIA.

Reply to Laptop question - MT55

[ In Reply To ..]
It depends on the area that you will be in -- if you are staying with relatives that have a wireless router and their connection is secure (meaning none of the neighbors can use their connection), then no you would not need an air card. Also, keep in mind that an air card works on the same principle as a cell phone, so the further you are from a tower, then the slower your connection will be. HTH

wireless - Indian Summer

[ In Reply To ..]
I will be staying with relatives but she does not have a wireless router. She has internet cable. I do not know how this could be done then. This is all new to me,so I would appreciate any help :)

Internet Stick - dsauverwald

[ In Reply To ..]
You can purchase an internet stick that you insert into a USB port on your laptop. You can get it through most internet providers and there is a small monthly fee. I have been thinking of getting one myself and through my internet provider it is an extra $15 a month added to my monthly bill to have this internet stick. It is really handy when you want to work when away from home. When you insert it into your USB port it connects like any other router or modem. Hope this helps.

laptop - Indian summer

[ In Reply To ..]
This is awesome!! thank you so much. I will definitely check into this. Have a good day. thanks to all who helped.

internet cable - wondering

[ In Reply To ..]
Internet cable can be used. You would just take the connection from the back of her computer and put it in yours, probably the ethernet cord which is a little bit bigger than a regular phone cord connection. I used internet cable when I was gone for the winter and stayed in a place with cable only. She would not be able to use her computer then as long as you are connected.

lap top - Indian summer

[ In Reply To ..]
I was wondering if this could be done. thank you!

Software might have to be installed first...sm - anon

[ In Reply To ..]
Less than a month ago, I took my laptop to my daughter's house to use there. She is on ATT broadband. It might be more complicated than just plugging in the DSL modem cable into the laptop, at least with her provider, because they do require installation of software as the customer does have to use a password to log in to get connected. It almost sounds like the ISP is trying to control who, and how many people, can get access to the internet but putting another stumbling block there particularly since so many people don't password protect their routers. My daughter does not have a router.

internet cable - becareful$$

[ In Reply To ..]
Be sure if you do get the wireless service for your laptop that you check the plan and see what the cost is. If you are not covered for enough, your bill will be huge. It works the same way as your cell phone--if you go over your plan minutes, it gets real expensive real fast. I have a internet connection that fits into my laptop USB port from Verizon and it costs 60/month for the maximum amount. Depending on how long you are going to be connected to work, it might not be covered under your plan. However, I can also connect to my regular internet through my home provider just by plugging in and it works perfectly fine.

wireless air cards - MT55

[ In Reply To ..]
I sent a reply to the original poster -- air cards are EXPENSIVE and work just like a cell phone plan -- there is "buying the device" and usally being locked into a contract at around $60 a month. It would be a heck of a lot cheaper to get a wireless router - talk with the person involved and split the cost -- $60 for a wireless router as opposed to $60 a month for 2 years. When I used my Linksys, it took 30 minutes to install but in order for others in the area not to use the router, it has to be "encryped" -- I have that now through my cable company and no one can get it unless they have the password -- sorry for the typos --LONG and stressful week

wireless air cards - Sunshine State MT

[ In Reply To ..]
It does not matter HOW LONG you are connected to a wireless air card but HOW MUCH you are UPLOADING/DOWNLOADING. You can stay connected 24/7 if you wanted to.

I have a Verizon Wireless connected to my desktop. I have the $60/month (2-year) plan which for me is well worth it and I have never gone OVER my maximum allowed download/upload limit doing transcription. Now if you start downloading movies, etc., then you probably would go over it but with transcription I nave never gone over.

I live in an area that believe it or not still to this day I do not have the option of cable running to my house. The cable line is 3 miles from my home and have been trying to get the cable company for the last 8 years to extend the cable to my home to no avail, even the phone company won't upgrade. I could only use dial-up.

My job had accounts that needed high speed, so I ended up having to take my computer up to my in-laws to work. That got old fast!!!

Anyways once Verizon came up with these air cards, I gave it a shot and have had no problems and I'm back at home!

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